Byesville Rotarians updated on history of flight, future of airport

Published: October 22, 2003 8:00PM

BYESVILLE Describing his experience in the Fifty Flags to Kitty Hawk national centennial celebration to Byesville Rotarians, Carl LaRue, local businessman and accomplished pilot who has set records of his own, lamented that the importance of Wilbur and Orvilles achievement 100 years ago has not been well publicized in other states. LaRue was one of the guest speakers at the clubs Tuesday meeting.

LaRue said Ohio is important because it was the home of the Wright brothers and, of course, North Carolina, where the first flight occurred. But other states have not given the event the publicity it deserves, he said. The Fifty Flags event is part of a year-long Countdown to Kitty Hawk program.

To raise awareness of the importance of the event, the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) came up with the idea for each state to have a representative fly to Kitty Hawk with their state flag which will be placed at the Wright Brothers National Memorial at Kill Devil Hills, N.C., said LaRue.

On the local level, the Cambridge Municipal Airport sponsored the Parade of Planes last September, at which dozens of planes congregated as part of the previously named annual fly-in. Highlight of the event was when LaRue, Ohios designated pilot, boarded his Lancair IV-F and took off on his historic journey.

It was a great personal experience, one that I hope raises the awareness of the importance of the Wright brothers accomplishment, he added.

A nice segue for Terry Losego, manager of the Cambridge Municipal Airport, who spoke to the club about the improvements at the airport.

Lengthening the runway was always a dream of mine , , , now it is happening, said Losego. The 20-year master plan for the airport is almost completed.

Losego said he is trying to stimulate interest in the airports importance to the economic growth of the Cambridge-Byesville area. With an annual budget of $266,000, Losego said, we are putting a lot into the community at a very small cost. We need your support so we can continue to improve the airport. The runway expansion to 5,000 feet is necessary for larger aircraft and corporate jets to land and take off safely . . . and so we can be competitive.

The expansion is not cheap. A $4 million grant from the FAA includes a commitment of 10 percent ($400,000) from the community. Future improvements include a taxi-way, added ramps, parking areas and more corporate hangars.

Losego emphasized that we need the support of the voters. Help us spread the word.

In other Rotary business, Rev. Wally Wilson was inducted into the club. Wilson, pastor of Unity Presbyterian Church in Cambridge, said he was happy to be part of the Byesville Club.

President Bob Long made several announcements:

Dictionaries were distributed to all third-graders in the Rolling Hills School District.

The chicken barbecue last Saturday was a success. All 200 chickens were sold.

There will be no club meeting on Nov. 4, election day. The Family Center is used as a polling place.

Jim Bakos distributed flyers announcing a free dance workshop for adults, college and high school students, on Saturday, Nov. 1 at the Elks Club. Learn to swing dance, cha cha, fox trot and waltz. For information, call Bakos, 685-6629.

Guest at the meeting was Lisa Moore, a junior and Interact member at Meadowbrook High School. Lisa is involved in cross country and track and plans to attend an art school after graduation.

The club will meet next week (Oct. 28) at 7:30 a.m. sharp at Meadowbrook High School for the induction of the 2003 Interact Club members. Breakfast will be served.